Verdict in on killing of Morgan Freeman's granddaughter
<p><span>A man from the US has been found guilty of stabbing to death Morgan Freeman’s step-granddaughter E’dena Hines.</span></p>
<p><span>Judge Ellen Biben convicted Lamar Davenport, Hines’ boyfriend, on lesser manslaughter charges for knifing her 25 times on a sidewalk in full view of pedestrians and neighbours in August 2015.</span></p>
<p><span>Davenport’s lawyers argued that their client, who stood on trial for murder charges, attacked the granddaughter of Morgan Freeman’s second wife, in an attack that occurred after using hallucinogen PCP.</span></p>
<p><span>During the three-week trial, eyewitnesses who watched as Davenport knifed his 33-year-old girlfriend in the chest multiple times, shared their testimony.</span></p>
<p><span>Hines’ estranged biological mum, Deena Adair, took to the stand to emotionally recount how they were reconnecting in the days prior to her death.</span></p>
<p><span>Hines’ mother was in court on Monday to hear the verdict from Judge Biben.</span></p>
<p><span>Hines, who has no blood relation to Morgan Freeman, was raised by the actor’s second wife, Myrna Colley-Lee.</span></p>
<p><span>Previously, Freeman and Hines were inundated with rumours that they had a sexual relationship.</span></p>
<p><span>During Davenport’s trial, the affair was confirmed when lawyers for both the defence and prosecution stipulated that Hines had “disclosed to Lamar Davenport and others that her grandfather engaged in a sexually inappropriate relationship with her.”</span></p>
<p><span>It is unknown when the relationship took place and where it occurred.</span></p>
<p><span>Davenport’s lawyers requested for Biben to find Davenport guilty of a lesser manslaughter charge after he did not meet the guidelines for the defence of not guilty by reason of insanity.</span></p>
<p><span>Prosecutors argued that Davenport fully intended to kill Hines as he attacked no one else in the street and the couple had previously smoked PCP together without incident.</span></p>
<p><span>Davenport will receive his sentencing on May 29 and could face up to 25 years in jail. </span></p>
